With just 30 days left to the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Tour, the four-day race has had its stages confirmed.
This year the Abu Dhabi Tour can boast UCI WorldTour status; unique for a race in the Middle East. WorldTour ranking points will be up for grabs every day, a very important goal for each of the teams and riders.
The vast majority of cycling’s elite teams will be at the start of the race (16 out of 18), and include some of the world’s best riders who have confirmed their participation.
The route will be similar to the first two editions.
Three stages dedicated to the sprinters and one to the climbers or brave punchers along a fast-balanced route, riding in between the desert and the sea, going from the mountains to the city.
STAGE ONE
The opening stage will take its now traditional route, starting and finishing in Madinat Zayed, and running entirely through the desert.
STAGE TWO
New features are packed into stage two, starting from Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination, and featuring as many landmarks as possible: in this tour of the capital city fans can follow the riders past iconic locations such as the Corniche, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, Al Reem Island, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Old Al Bahia, Al Sadar. The probable bunch sprint will take place on Al Marina, close to the Big Flag.
STAGE THREE
The third stage, as usual, is the mountain stage, where climbers and puncheurs will fight for general classification on the Jabel Hafeet uphill finish at an altitude of 1.025m.
STAGE FOUR
The grand finale is once again confirmed for the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.
